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Bon-Ton Cafe
Pick up the August 26 edition of the Memphis Business Journal (we sell that here!) and read about our good friend Sam Zambelis and his Bon-Ton Cafe. Then stop by the Bon-Ton at 150 Monroe for breakfast or lunch!
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)
Very Special Pipe Special
While the recent entry on Xikar Cigar Cutters boasts a very good deal, this one I'm posting today may 
be the best ever. I recently tried closing out some Mastro de Paja pipes on E-bay, yet only one ended up selling at auction (some lucky fellow in China was the winner on that one), but I'm still in the mood to see all of these go. Therefore, I'm offering these hand carved, Italian beauties at 50% OFF normal retail price when you mention you read it here. These are some really nice pieces and these are some really great prices. Again, that's half off while quantities last. Hurry!
Posted by Richard Alley at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
More of Mid-Second...
A while back I wrote about the neighborhood of which I am a part of called Mid-Second, and a while after that I wrote about it again. I won't bother you with those details again, so you can follow the links to read those entries. Well, I'm going to write about it some more. It may seem to many of you that a retail shop with a blog as its website should focus on its own business and the inventory it stocks and specials it has, and I do, but one of the objectives of this site is also to keep people updated on what's going on downtown. Memphis Tobacco Bowl is very much a part of downtown. In fact, I think the Tobacco Bowl, in its 56th year here, is part of the heart and soul of the area, it is downtown's personality. We see a lot of tourists, journalists and business travelers here and have become a kind of clearinghouse of information for these people who want to know where to shop, where to eat and the history of the downtown area. With the addition of Memphis Coffee Exchange, our own in-house coffee & espresso bar, and the Wi-Fi connection, we've also becoming a place for these out-of-towners to rest and reach out to their friends and family back home.
Many of the tourists are drawn to the Tobacco Bowl for the unique architecture of the building we're in and for the old-world feel that permeates the shop. This look and feel is unique to downtown and to Mid-Second, in particular, I feel. Madison Avenue was once called Banker's Row due to the number of banks that could be found between Front and Third, and many of these old buildings, thankfully, are being rehabed into new uses. Anyone wishing to locate their business within Mid-Second would do well to market towards these visitors who want a taste of what we've always known - that Memphis is replete with history, from cotton, to the Civil War, to the Blues and Rock-n-Roll.
The idea of naming neighborhoods is good on many sides, but for the small businessman, it is especially usefull in marketing, networking and in helping people with money find places to spend it. When the idea for The Exchange District (again, see the entry 'Mid-Second Redux' for more on this) was born, its objectives were those listed above. Those of us involved saw the success South Main was having with marketing themselves as a unique area of downtown and saw the tenaciousness with which Mike Todd was doing the same thing with The Edge, and we were impressed. As the businessess and residents in any area come together, however, they need the assistance of quasi-governmental entities such as the Center City Commission to help get the name out there and to give the organization some validity. As a small business owner, I am eager to give my input as well as listening to any suggestions from the CCC.
LG at the CCC has told me that "The document which refers to your neighborhood as "MidSecond" was created by our development team to show potential developers and investors possible development sites and opportunities, and to give them an idea of recent investments, zoning and appropriate uses. This is still a draft. We've completed drafts for a couple of other study areas in downtown but still have a couple more to go. Once complete, our intent is to host an event for the businesses and property owners in each neighborhood to share with them the draft documents and to get their input." This is all good news (especially regarding the name) and I hope that the final document will be available soon and that the denizens of Mid-Second can meet as soon as possible as we all have ideas for our area. I would hope, too, that maybe we can work with them on things such as literature highlighting the area, organizing those that inhabit the area and possibly something down the road such as block parties or some such fun.
To be honest, the CCC gets a bad rap from a lot of business owners in the area, and I hope that that will be resolved with all of this and that we can learn to lean on each other and learn from each other because we obviously all care and are committed to downtown and would like to see our own piece of the pie flourish.
Posted by Richard Alley at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)
Solani Silver
I am just now sitting down to enjoy a pipeful of Solani Silver Blend 660, the newest offering from R.L. Will Tobaccos. This tobacco is a fine mixture of dark red and sweet Virginias, yellow Virginia and spicy Kentucky tobacco. It's very smooth with just a hint of natural sweetness as no flavorings are added to enhance its taste. It is not quite as sweet as the Solani 633 with its Perique mixture, however. Solani 
Silver is what tobacco is supposed to taste like. It is only available right now in 100g tins but, trust me, you'll want to smoke every bit of it. This tobacco will be a nice addition to my rotation of Solani yellow, Solani blue and Dorisco Mixture.
Stay tuned because I also ordered some wonderful new McClelland blends at the RTDA show and these will be appearing soon. There will be some new bulks for us and specialty tins such as the annual Christmas Cheer and their 75th Anniversary blend.
Posted by Richard Alley at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)
Adios, Ibrahim
While in New Orleans for the RTDA Show at the beginning of the month, T and I left the conference center and went to the first little shop we could find selling bottled water because it was 115 degrees. Upon entering we were greeted by the soothing voice of Ibrahim Ferrer playing over a jambox, which looked to be from the 80s and was duct taped above the register. The man working the register was singing along passionately with the cassette. When we returned to our hotel room at the trendy W hotel and turned on the TV we found that Mr. Ferrer had passed away only the day before. And thus I harken back to my druthers - if a well-known Cuban had to leave us, why couldn't it be Fidel Castro instead of Ibrahim Ferrer?
Last weekend my family and I got into our van and when I turned it on we were greeted by the same soporific voice from 91.7 WKNO that had been playing in that little bodega in New Orleans. I said, "That's Ibrahim Ferrer," and K asked how I knew that. "How many other Cuban vocalists do you know?" I asked. But how could you not know that voice? That sorrowful, hopeful, bolero-style voice is the sound of Cuba. It's the sound of what could have been if things had gone differently decades ago and the promise that that nation holds in its tourism and agriculture could have been allowed to flourish. Instead of something great like Ferrer being allowed to share his gift with the world, he instead grew old shining shoes.
Most people in the U.S. who know of Ferrer do so through the movie and CD "Buena Vista Social Club," and those of you who haven't seen this film or heard the music really should do yourself a favor and check them out.
One day - and soon, hopefully - this silly embargo will be lifted so we Americans can enjoy Cuba's best beaches, rum and, of course, cigars. Unfortunately, Ibrahim Ferrer won't be around to witness it.
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)
Mid-Second Redux
A short while back I wrote a blog entry on the neighborhood known as Mid-Second, the neighborhood the Tobacco Bowl is fortunate to be a part of, and one which was named, obviously, by committee. LG at the CCC recently read that entry and let me know she enjoyed it. At first I was surprised because I didn't really know if anyone read this blog, at least not without me asking them to. Then I 
wondered why the CCC didn't get any input from the businesses and residents in the area on the district (and THEN I thought maybe they did, but my business didn't rate enough to be asked about it). Our community - Mid-Second, if you must - needs to come together to promote ourselves just as the South Main Arts District (cool name), Pinch District (cool name) and Edge (cool name) communities are doing.
At the very center of downtown, our area has a very high concentration of business, residential and visitors - more so than any other area in the CBID, yet we're left out as a community when the CCC or some other entity talks about the re-emergence of Downtown Memphis. And we're left out because we don't have a cool name, something catchy, something that's easy to slip into a sound bite. A few years ago I and some of my fellow business owners in the neighborhood tried to unite under the moniker 'The Exchange District', which we took from the stately Exchange Building at Madison and Second, from the trolley exchange at Madison and Main, and from the idea that we are in the center of the three aforementioned communities. Well, The Exchange District never really took off because of a lack of interest and because most of us at the time were focused on trying to keep our businesses open with the trolley construction that was going on at the time. But the idea was there, and it was a good one. And now the name is just sitting out there, unused.
I suggested to LG that they use the name “The Area That Surrounds Memphis Tobacco Bowl for Two Blocks on All Sides” or “TATSMTBFTBOAS”, but I really don't think they're going to take it. So I welcome them to bestow The Exchange District on our humble nabe and to please include all of us in any ideas they may have to generate traffic to our area or spruce the place up or market us to the masses.
The first step in a neighborhood coming together is a good team name...and Mid-Second isn't it.
Posted by Richard Alley at 03:47 PM | Comments (0)
Membership has its privileges
Vendors were handing out all sorts of free things at the RTDA Show. Here's our man JB with a cigar 
senorita.
Posted by Richard Alley at 10:22 AM | Comments (0)
Xikar Cigar Cutters - 20% off special
20% OFF THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST WHEN YOU MENTION YOU READ IT IN THE NEWSLETTER OR ON THIS BLOG!
The RTDA show specials are just beginning to trickle in now ahead of the flood that should come in September. First to arrive are the Xikar Xi and Xi3 cutters. These ergonomic, tear drop-shaped cutters 
with double guillotine action provide power and durability to the cigar enthusiast. Their stainless steel blades ensure long life and its large opening can cut a 54-ring cigar in half and, depending on how much you like to take off the cap, it can handle up to a 58-ring.
While the design and action on all Xikar cutters and punches are impressive, one of the best reasons 
for carrying a Xikar tool is the lifetime warranty that comes with it. The good people at Xikar are happy to repair or replace any defective piece and they will even sharpen it if you need it. I have sent pieces back to them and been thrilled when I received them back, good as new, within the week.
You're smoking the best cigars, shouldn't you cut them with the best tools? Come in and see all the 
different varieties to choose from, including titanium, silver, red wood, beech wood and zebra wood, and remember...20% off through the end of August only!
Posted by Richard Alley at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
Pipe Closeout
I'm closing out some high end Mastro de Paja pipes that have been around here for just too long. These six pipes can be found on E-bay at half the retail price with no reserve, so I urge you to take a look and bid on them.
Posted by Richard Alley at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
Camacho Corojo Diadema
Just in: the Camacho Corojo Diademas that have been backordered forEVER. This is a very unique cigar - shaped like a funnel.
The Corojo line, as told by Caribe Imported Cigars: "Camacho, a truly superb tasting fully aged cigar, has a distinctive flavor recognized by cigar aficionados around the world. Entirely handmade from selected vintage tobaccos, giving them their truly distinctive and superb flavor. These tobaccos are grown in the Jamastran Valley of Honduras, a region where perfect soil and ideal climate can compare to Cuba's renowned Vuelta Abajo Region, to create a legendary, unsurpassed flavor.
Now Camacho comes to you in the Camacho Corojo with 100% Jamastran Corojo and Camacho Havana with authentic Corojo binder and filler. "
$9.00
Posted by Richard Alley at 04:59 PM | Comments (0)
American Dream Safari
Check out the story on our good friend Tad Pierson and his American 
Dream Safari tours in today's Commercial Appeal. Tad also created Memphis Mary Bloody Mary Mix which you can find for sale right here at Memphis Coffee Exchange. This is a spicy, smoky, bar-b-que flavored mix that I find quite enjoyable.
Posted by Richard Alley at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)
Destination Downtown
SIGN UP for the Destination Downtown newsletter, won't you?
From the CCC website:
"Stay in style with Destination Downtown!, your retail guide to fashion, eclectic gifts and special finds in Downtown Memphis! Each month, this monthly e-newsletter spotlights best buys and products from participating Downtown retailers and clues you in to special sales and discounts. The newsletter also features a parking map to featured retailers, so getting to your destination in Downtown is a breeze!" 
This month's newsletter features specials and information on the Tobacco Bowl (of course), Muse, Carabella's, Sharp Flowers, Shelton Clothiers and Dixie Meats, among others. Be in the know and support downtown businesses! Sign up today for the Destination Downtown newsletter!
Posted by Richard Alley at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
EUnuchs in Charge?
Cleavage and a pint?
Posted by Richard Alley at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)
Welcome to Mid-Second(?)
It’s on these dog days of summer, when it’s hotter than hell out and just that slow in here – those days when JF comes in for his lottery tickets and you’re almost (ALMOST) happy to see him because it means three more dollars in the till – that it seems all there is
to do (rather than clean or pay bills, naturally) is bounce around the internet. After checking to see what the bloggers are up to and the cigar nerds on the boards, I check my vendors’ sites to find out what might be new there, and then I find myself on the Center City Commission website only to find that I am part of a neighborhood. A real neighborhood! Not the general, generic Downtown neighborhood, but a real South Main or Pinch-style community. And someone with a marketing degree, but no creativity, named it Mid-Second Neighborhood. Its area appears to encompass a half-block south of Monroe to a half-block north of Jefferson and a half-block on either side of Second Street, so that the Tobacco Bowl squats just inside its Eastern parameter on Madison. The website does a good job of detailing the vacancies, investment opportunities and potential for the neighborhood. By my calculations, there are approximately 1.5 million sq. ft. of vacant office/retail space just waiting for you in my neighborhood.
When I purchased the Tobacco Bowl over six years ago, I did so because of the potential of downtown and the plans that were on the books then, which included Autozone Park and Peabody Place. Things seem to slowly be moving our way. Court Square is the geographical center of downtown and has been called ‘Memphis’s living room,’ yet Jack Belz and his vision have done everything possible to make the Peabody Hotel and mall into the core of downtown, and new ventures have been spreading out from there like rays of sunshine. As Monroe fills in with great restaurants such as Lolo’s Table, McEwen’s on Monroe, Stella and Zoe’s, joining old favorites like The Bon-Ton, I think that people will have to start looking at Madison, which has a multitude of opportunity for retail, restaurants and residential. And may I add, Hurry Up! Because as I stare out my door, which opens less and less this time of year, and watch the empty trolley cars rumble past, I get disillusioned. I forget 
that I have the greatest regular customers and that downtowners support downtown businesses to the exclusion of all others. I don’t consider that this business has been around for 56 years and no matter what the heat index is outside, or what the anti-smoking establishment says, or how crazy the economy gets, that this will remain a gathering place downtown for all types of people. Yet, what this neighborhood needs is more – more business (especially retail), more people shopping, more sightseers and more people who believe in downtown.
Posted by Richard Alley at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)